Small leather needle case, reportedly made by Robert Burn's brother

Key details

Object number: 3.7505
Date: 1780 to 1789
On display: No
Maker: Burns, William

Description

Small, leather needle case with attached card label detailing history of the case.

Needle case in leather with a label attached which reads "A needlecase presented to Burns's Mother by her son William, a saddlers apprentice in Ayr, He died in London after working for some time in a saddlers shop in the Strand. He was buried in St. Pauls Church yard Dublin, 1872 G. Burns over (on reverse) Mrs Everitt the poet's grand daughter is my informant as to William being buried in St. Pauls Ch Yd. She had it from John Murdoch" Card dated, 'Dublin, 1872.'

This leather needle case was made for his mother by William Burns (1767-90) the poet's youngest brother who was a saddler's apprentice in Ayr. He was latterly employed as a saddler in London and died of a fever aged only 23 years old.

Shaw mair

Object information

Acquisition

1931

Material

Leather
Card

Measurements

Depth: 1.2(cm)
Height: 5(cm)
Width: 4.5(cm)